Monthly Archives: December 2017

You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger…. (Luke 2:12)

If you know me well at all, you know I read road signs. I read bumper stickers. I read car tags. I read billboards. I read almost everything…

Sometimes, in reading signs, I have felt a nudge—sometimes, a billboard sign puts a period onto my morning devotion.

Like the morning a few years ago when I first noticed the United States Marines sign on I-10.

“Devoted to a Life of Honor”…..

then on down the road,

“Devoted to a Life of Courage”…. and

“Devoted to a Life of Service”.

Those were signs not only for me—but for all.

Not that we are called to a life in the U.S. Marine Corp, although that is an incredible privilege for those who are called and chosen for that life’s walk…but those signs were signs for us. For Christians everywhere to remember exactly what we are called to do and be.

Devoted.

Honorable.

Courageous.

Servants.

On this Christmas Day, let us remember that HE, as King of Kings, made a decision to be devoted to us….insomuch that HE chose…HE DELIBERATELY CHOSE, to become ONE OF US.

A servant to all.

All who would RECEIVE HIM.

When you receive HIM, fully and without any reservations or hesitations…will find yourself changing daily—your walk will become one of honor, courage, servitude, and full devotion.

Your outward manner will reflect what is inside your heart.

My prayer for you today is that you will find yourself searching for HIM in all the dailyness of living.

I am so thankful for having been a part of your life in 2017. I hope to continue to share and show Christ via life lived daily and through whatever means God puts available to us. It may be typed out words on this keyboard in 2018, or words shared in StreetTalk Magazine, or messages shared behind a pulpit or–more importantly, across a table from someone, maybe you.

Make it a determination in your heart to help encourage someone every day in this coming year. Make it a plan to live out the life of Christ wherever you are– first at home, then your neighborhoods and workplaces and surrounding communities.

When you and I live the life of Christ– WE are BEING a SIGN unto them! We are showing people that God loves them and has them in HIS eyesight! They are not forgotten!

Then go reach the world! That’s when we can make the most impact! Make a difference in 2018! Be a sign–unto them.

Jeff and I want to wish every single one of you a very blessed Christmas and a new year full of the presence of God. To me, the Presence of God is the best present.

We wish that we could personally see each of you and hug your necks– but time won’t permit — however, we do pray for you, all of our partners who share in this ministry with us through either – being a prayer partner or financial supporter. We are grateful! This next journey will require just as much of both! It’s the long awaited for part of this journey.

I have discovered that I can use the WordPress APP and when I can’t get to my computer– and still share with you without having to use Facebook as much!! So, be sure and sign up on the sidebar here if you aren’t already a follower– (I have a strong like/dislike relationship with FB–which leans more on the dislike)

Tomorrow we graduate!!! We are very excited about what God has next and are very GLAD to have you join us!!

Saturday we head home- so thrilled to see our babies!!!!! We love you guys!! Keep praying!! It’s your prayers and faithfulness that have brought us this far!! TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY– forever and ever! Amen!

Yesterday, as one of the precious little missionary girls (almost 1 year old) was being carried by her daddy from the kindercare (below our apartment), I ran out to get a little hug from her and check on her baby sister. When I asked her dad if they were going “home” for Christmas, I immediately realized that has such a different meaning now. Where exactly is home? I asked him that same question–and he said the very words I was thinking: Home is wherever we are.

That has been a struggle for me, I confess. I think mainly because I AM A HOMEBODY.

I love being at home. I love being with my family more than chocolate cake–but I also know that THAT is something I had to lay on the altar to do what He wants us to do. It seems like several times since being here, I’ve gone back to that altar where I laid down what I loved about my life, and looked at it all again, reminisced and cried a little (or sometimes a lot), but left it all remaining at the altar, because the bottom line– and at the end of the day, I would do it all over again if He asked it of me. And I will obey His voice until I draw my last breath.

I would like to fill you in on every single thing we’ve done since October to December–but you might not have time to read all of that. Let me just tell you a few things: We hosted a “Souper Night” for all the missionaries here –with LOTS of yummy soups and desserts, combined it with a baby shower, hosted by the single missionary girls for the newest member of our missionary family (Little Isabella Henden)! That was fun. 🙂 Made me realize God gives us family wherever we go!

We had a great prayer retreat in October and a wonderful Kids Ministry Training retreat in November, both hosted by Jay and Nancy Dickerson, our area directors.

We’ve had TONS of studying, reading and testing. I celebrated my 56th birthday here, our daughter celebrated her 34th birthday there, we had a cousin accept Jesus in the last few days of his life, and a new baby was born into our family, a little early (8 weeks), but God has His mighty hand on her. ALL these activities have kept us PRAYING.

The Holy Spirit has spoken into my heart several times with His confirming Word that HE is here-and is handling all our situations and we need to be watchfully trusting. Those two words may not seem to go together, but look again. Nehemiah talks about the workers restoring the wall, but armed and ready. Nehemiah 4:17

Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.

We are doing what’s necessary, but armed and ready to do the next thing He requires. Watchfully trusting. Believing that HE is in control as we surrender our steps, hearts and minds to HIS purpose and plan.

So, November flew by in a flash–we celebrated Thanksgiving Day with missionary friends in the home of another missionary, who opened their home to us all to use for our meal, while they were at a retreat! It felt like a real family celebration!

Yes, I still missed all our family celebrations, and yes, I did cry a little about missing them all, but I kept my eye on the time I would wrap my arms around them again and hold them close! They will be saying– “Mama! Enough already!” Maybe not.

December is on the fast track. I’ve got 7 suitcases packed and the house is a jumble of things to either be given, or packed. And I am giddy with excitement over seeing my family.

You know, when the LORD lays a burden on your heart–you are willing and ready to say yes and run off to do all that He requires. Then, it gets down into the crux of the matter. And the actual deal starts going down…and there you find yourself in a puddle of wonder and even possibly a little confusion–wait, did I hear correctly? And the enemy is all set and ready to help fuel that confusion. But then, the LORD steps over AS YOU PRAY and continually stay before HIM, and He renews and refreshes that confidence and your heart for the journey ahead. Oh, it never stops. The enemy KEEPS on at you, but you stay in front of the LORD, stay on your face before HIM and see what HE does…

Something the enemy has plagued me with during this has been to target my homesickness and remind me “you don’t have a home”.…and I will be the first to admit, yes, I listened a little bit to his whiny voice–but then through the obedience of one of my prayer partners, she sent me a message from the HOLY SPIRIT, “I AM YOUR HOME”.

You know, I don’t know what you call home. It may be a very extravagant house with high ceilings and ornate moldings, or it may be a small, simple house where you gather daily with those you love–wherever it is, whatever it is, never hold to it so tightly that you couldn’t and wouldn’t freely give it up should the Master step to your heart and say, “Come, follow Me. I have a job for you to do. You will need to leave everything to do this, but I want you, yes even now as (old or as young) you are”.

What a journey you will have!

Thank you all for praying–and thanks for reading this LONG newsletter! (We haven’t printed any since we left the states, but would you be so kind as to print it for your church and share it with your pastor if he doesn’t have a facebook?) We will graduate Friday morning and then fly out Saturday morning to celebrate Christmas with our family and get our paperwork ready for Bolivia! We leave for Bolivia early January–so that is a LOT of things to keep in mind to pray for!

Travel safety

Visa processing paperwork completed “¡muy rapido!”

Continued good health

More supporters (we have, like a few others, lost a few–but we know God has this!)

Our family. This transition has not been easy on them at times, especially our grandsons, but God can strengthen and help them in this journey!

We wish so much that we would be able to see each of you and hug your necks, but it just won’t be possible. We know you understand- and we are continuing in prayer for you! We used to pray for you every time we saw a “Knight Transportation Truck” because we had asked you to pray for us when you saw them. We have had a few friends see them and post them to our Facebook page or send us a message. Thank y’all for that! What a blessing!

If you are interested in becoming a prayer partner, or have a desire to partner with us financially, either a one time donation or monthly support, you can go here: www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie

PRAYER is so critical! We have learned more than ever before, we CANNOT accomplish anything for the Kingdom of God without your faithful prayers! So thank you!

We love you all! Maybe we’ll run into you in Walmart!–of course not literally…. 😀